2014-15-Undergraduate-Catalog

Course Descriptions • 447PSCI 205 Introduction to Public PolicyA study of the process of making public policy, including detection of public issues, consideration of alternatives andadoption and implementation of solutions. Recommend PSCI 102. Three credits.PSCI 206 Introduction to Theories of Public OrganizationAn introduction into public administration theory with a focus on public organization theories of management,motivation, leadership, communication, conflict resolution and decision making. Three credits.PSCI 207 Communism, Fascism and DemocracyDuring the last century, three competing ideologies dominated the global system: liberalism, communism andfascism. The primary goal of this course is to familiarize students with the philosophical foundations for theseideologies and the goal cultures they hope to achieve. Three credits.PSCI 209 Introduction to Comparative PoliticsThis course is designed as an introduction to the comparative study of political institutions and social processes atboth the theoretical and practical levels. Examination at the theoretical level will entail a comparative assessment ofthe multiple means of governance. The practical study will include an examination of a set of nation-states withdiffering political, ideological, cultural and economic structures. Three credits.PSCI 210 American Legal Systems and PracticesThis course provides undergraduate students with an overview of the American legal system in theory andpractice. In addition, students examine the ethical and advocacy responsibilities in the promotion of justice.Students will also survey major fields of U.S. law, develop basic legal writing and reasoning skills and be exposed tobasic research methodologies. Three credits.PSCI 295 TopicsStudy of specific topics, issues or themes within the field of political science. Three credits.PSCI 301 History of Western Political Philosophy IA survey of the great political writings of Western Civilization from Ancient Greece to the Renaissance. Thisincludes a discussion of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas and Machiavelli. Three credits.PSCI 302 History of Western Political Philosophy IIThis course is a continuation of PSCI 301 that covers the great political writings from the Renaissance to thepresent. The course may include a discussion of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Bentham, Marx and/or Rawls.Three credits.PSCI 303 American Foreign PolicyThis course serves as an introduction to the complex nature of American foreign policy and focuses on severalaspects of the foreign policy making process. These include the historical evolution of U.S. foreign policy, institutionalprocesses involved in decision making and key issues American officials confront. Three credits.PSCI 306 American Political Parties, Elections and Voting BehaviorA study of national political organizations, processes, and behavior to include political parties, the nomination andelection process, and the development of political attitudes and behavior. Three credits.PSCI 308 The American PresidencyThis course will focus on the emergence and development of the modern presidency as an institution and its role incontemporary politics. The course will emphasize the constitutional background of the office, the evolution ofpresidential powers, the relationship between the presidency and Congress and the bureaucracy, the presidentialelection process, and the role of the presidency in policy-making. Three credits.PSCI 310 U.S. Constitution (same as HIST 310)An analysis of Supreme Court decisions throughout the nation’s history affecting the three branches of thenational government and federal/state relations. Three credits.PSCI 311 Organizational LeadershipA course designed for the purpose of providing the student with an understanding of the theory and practice oforganizational leadership. Three credits.